Karnataka Assembly witnessed chaos as BJP MLAs stormed the well with CDs, demanding a CBI probe into an alleged honey trap controversy.
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00:00So, the top story coming in on India's agenda is from Karnataka.
00:04This is the latest information I have, the honey trap controversy.
00:08Have politicians of Karnataka and possibly from a lot of other parties too, not just
00:13Congress, have been honey trapped by who and for what?
00:17This is a curious mystery that's emerging.
00:20It's a showdown in the assembly, BJP MLA storming well of the house, they are claiming proof.
00:24They are saying, show us the FIR, show us what the investigation has been.
00:29And MLA's appear to be holding a CD, they say this is the proof, in front of the Chief
00:35Minister.
00:36How are these CDs circulating, how did the BJP leaders have access to it, who are the
00:42politicians who have been allegedly honey trapped?
00:44Remember, it's not just about a honey trap video.
00:47In return of the trap or a blackmail that usually follows in these cases, has some information
00:54or some part released and leaked out, that breaks protocol.
00:59That is where the honey trap controversy basically escalates.
01:02Nagarjun Dwarkanath joins me for the latest on that, full on ruckus and commotion was
01:07seen in the assembly today.
01:11So we'll dip in also, short while, to what happened in the assembly.
01:15Chief Minister Siddharma has said, we have not spared anyone, the intention is not to
01:19shield anyone.
01:20We have ordered an investigation, the probe is on, but the BJP says that someone is aiming
01:26to climb the hierarchy and that has happened.
01:41Look at that, BJP MLAs come toward the well of the house with a CD in their hand and they
01:46say this is the proof.
01:48India Today's Nagarjun Dwarkanath joining me for the latest on that, Nagarjun take us
01:52through all the key takeaways from the assembly because I'm curious, the BJP clearly knows
01:57there's a CD, any details of any names coming out, what is the reason of the showdown?
02:07Since last 24 hours, Karnataka assembly has been rocked with the CD issue, the honey trap
02:12issue when one of the senior ministers stood up and said there have been attempts on him
02:16for a honey trap and he also confessed before the house that there are 48 such victims not
02:21just from Congress but also BJP and union leaders as well and this morning when the
02:25house commenced at 8 o'clock in the morning, the BJP started questioning the CM, CM was
02:30not in the house yesterday, this morning when CM arrived, they said that we need clarity
02:34from you as to what kind of investigation has happened or will happen, we don't need
02:38the budget reply as of now, let us discuss about this honey trap issue, it's about a
02:44respect of a legislator of this esteemed house is what the BJP started with.
02:48However, the CM also clarified that home minister has already said there's no official
02:52complaint, when the official complaint comes in, we will constitute a high level enquiry
02:56and then the investigation will go through but see the BJP is demanding a CBI enquiry
03:00and now they have entered the well of the house as the CM continues to read his budget
03:04reply and holding a CD in their hand implying that there is some private CD of one of the
03:12ministers to put out a message, they are holding a CD in their hand, all legislators of the
03:17BJP and JDS have entered the well of the house as we speak.
03:21Nagarjun, stay on with me because let's listen into what did the CM say in the assembly with
03:27regard to this honey trap controls.
04:47So, that's the first statement coming in from the chief minister of the state of Karnataka
05:11over honey trap controversy, remember what the minister who first spoke about it said
05:16was about 48 politicians including central leaders, these are the latest visuals on your screen.
05:22Chief Minister Siddharma is speaking, I request Nagarjun to kindly translate.
06:46That chief minister may be speaking right now and these are different issues, remember
07:06there is a budget session going on in Karnataka, there is the honey trap controversy, there
07:11is a proposed pay hike on which possibly BJP congress will be united but here in this
07:16case there is a reason you see that cluster of MLAs right in the well of the house that
07:21is uncommon, usually doesn't happen, that's because the BJP leaders have come toward the
07:26speaker with a CD in their hand.
07:28I bring in Nagarjun Dwarkanath for the latest, he is right outside the assembly tracking
07:33the latest, what are the BJP MLAs saying here, Nagarjun?
07:40Pooja, as of now the BJP MLAs are shouting slogans against the Congress government, they
07:45are demanding a CBI enquiry, they are holding CD in their hands, all MLAs have got a CD
07:51as an example to portray what the protest is about, implying that someone's personal life
07:56moments have been caught on camera and they have put it on a CD or a pen drive and hence
08:00they have put out CD in their hands and showing it to the cameras in the well of the house
08:05as they protest as we speak.
08:07BJP MLAs have got into the well an hour back or so, since then they have been protesting
08:12asking the CM to delay his budget speech and then give an answer to the reply as to who
08:16is the person behind this whole honey trap issue and who are the leaders that 48 people
08:21that Rajendra has said that there is a list of 48 people including senior judiciary members
08:25as well as people from all walks of life, who are these 48 members, the names have to
08:30be put out is what the BJP is demanding, hence they are in the well of the house shouting
08:34slogans against the Congress government, one of the senior legislators from the BJP went
08:38on to say that if the CM continues to read the budget amidst the protest, let the CM
08:44also clarify what is the amount that the government has kept also for honey trap because it's
08:49the fight within the government that it has come to the forefront right now, a senior
08:53minister accusing someone within the government trying to do honey trap on him is what we
08:58are told, these have been the whispers in the power corridors for the last 15 days but
09:03since yesterday it has come to the forefront after one minister Satish Jharkhand said yes
09:07there have been two attempts on the senior minister of honey trap, then in the house
09:11Rajendra himself confessed that there has been an attempt made and home minister ordering
09:16an enquiry but this morning, this morning the BJP demanding answers from the government
09:24Stay on with me Nagarjun, stay on with me, alright looks like some heightened activity
09:29there, I'll let him go for now, listen in to what CM Sudharmayya said and other leaders
09:33as well over the honey trap controversy.
10:54If he had to come here, he should have come before your chamber, that's the message I got.
10:59No, no, no, he spoke to me even before that.
11:02So, what he said was, I'll file a complaint, I'll file a complaint, let him do this on his own,
11:14he hasn't filed a complaint yet, Madam PM.
11:20So, in case you missed out wondering what is this controversy about, it was the Karnataka
11:25minister K N Rajanna who in the assembly said that 48 politicians possibly including central
11:31leaders have become victims of honey trap, he's claiming that there's a political motive
11:36behind these attempts but the details are very sketchy, we do not know who are the politicians
11:40here, who's honey trapped them and why but here's how it became a showdown this morning
11:45in the Karnataka assembly.
11:50What started as whispers of a Karnataka minister being honey trapped has now spiralled into
11:57a full-blown scandal.
11:59State Co-operative Minister K N Rajanna claimed in the assembly that at least 48 people including
12:06national figures had been caught in honey traps rocking Karnataka politics.
12:11State Co-operative Minister K N Rajanna claimed that at least 48 people including national
12:18figures had been caught in honey traps rocking Karnataka politics.
12:41Rajanna has written a letter to state home minister demanding an enquiry into the matter.
13:11The BJP slammed the Siddharamaya government and sought an independent probe.
13:41Rajanna has written a letter to state home minister demanding an enquiry into the matter.
14:12Sources tell India Today, Minister Rajanna met Chief Minister Siddharamaya and complained
14:17about being targeted.
14:19The scandal has triggered a political storm and embarrassed the faction-ridden Congress
14:24in the state.
14:26With Sagaraj and Nagarjun Dwarkanath in Bengaluru, Bureau Report, India Today.
14:34I want to immediately bring in Nagarjun Dwarkanath.
14:36Nagarjun, I believe there was some heightened activity happening right there at the assembly.
14:40Tell us more what's happening on the ground right now.
14:45In fact, it was Rajanna's son who walked in.
14:47He's the MLC from the Congress here.
14:49Mr. Rajendra, he also has been a victim of honey trap is what he had said yesterday.
14:53He had spoken exclusively to India Today as well just last night and last evening.
14:57And he entered the assembly so most of the security went to him because the media would
15:02garrow him for his comment as to what is happening this morning.
15:05But however, the CM continues to read his budget speech.
15:08As we speak, the BJP is still in the well of the house, including the JDS MLAs who are
15:13in the well of the house, holding CD placards, shouting slogans against the present government,
15:19demanding answers as to what is the kind of investigation.
15:22Would it be headed by ADGP?
15:24Would it be given to the CID or the city police would inquire this or the crime branch would
15:28inquire this?
15:29What kind of investigation?
15:31They're also demanding a CBI inquiry.
15:33If not, a sitting judge to be given the power to inquire this issue is what we are told.
15:38You know, I'm looking at these visuals on our screens right now.
15:42The BJP MLAs who are waving and showing that they have that CD where the honey trapped
15:48videos allegedly are.
15:50Do we have more information on this?
15:52BJP seems very confident, but I'm sure the viewers wondering, everyone's questioning
15:56right now.
15:57Details about who honey trapped them, because why is Rajendra saying it's a political
16:02motive?
16:03And are these just the Congress leaders who have been honey trapped?
16:06Could there be BJP leaders too?
16:11Pooja, the CDs that the BJP MLAs are holding is not the CD that they have possessed.
16:17It's just a symbolic protest that they are doing to tell the government that your government
16:22is in a murky situation, completely deep down into this whole honey trap row, because their
16:28slogans were not heard because in the well of the house the mics are off, only the CM
16:32mic is on.
16:33To capture the lens or attention, they are holding those empty CDs which they just bought
16:39from a supermarket five minutes back is what we are told.
16:42And hence, as a symbolic protest, they are holding the CD to say that the government
16:46is completely deep down into this whole CD row that the public and private affair has
16:51now made into public because of a tussle within the government is what the BJP is alleging.
16:55One of the senior members went on to say that how much of the money in the budget has been
17:00allotted for honey trap because the government itself is trying to manufacture this private
17:04affairs CDs of senior ministers and legislators.
17:07We are yet to know about who are these 48 leaders or the people in the list which Rajanna
17:12mentioned.
17:13Only Rajanna will have the information as to what has been happening.
17:16But this issue was in the power corridors for the last fortnight, but only after Satish
17:21Arculi made a claim about this issue, then it came to the forefront.
17:26Right now, we see DCP Bangalore City Central also walk by.
17:31Seems like there might be ruckus.
17:33They feel that the BJP also might create ruckus within the assembly.
17:37This is just turning more curious.
17:39Nagarjun, I understand you will be tracking more about this.
17:43Are there really CDs that are circulated that it is on video?
17:47Then who honey trapped and why?
17:49Was someone leaked out or released in turn of that honey trap videos?
17:53Because it usually is about extortion in these cases.
17:56We will be tracking more on that.
17:58Nagarjun, thank you very much for now.
17:59But that's only one of the issues that's concerning Karnataka right now.
18:03If you are a resident of Karnataka, starting from the 1st of April, electricity prices
18:08in the state will be increased by 36 paise per unit.
18:11Now, the decision will clearly impact millions of consumers across the state.
18:14The surcharge will be added to their existing electricity bills for the financial year 2025-26.
18:19What does it mean? Let me put it in perspective for you.
18:21If a house uses 250 units of electricity per month and paid over 2,200 rupees,
18:27for example, from the 1st of April, the same family will now have to pay about 2,300 rupees.
18:33But why this is concerning is that there is a cash-strapped state right now.
18:38It doesn't have enough money to even go ahead with its welfare schemes.
18:41It's forced to also do hike on different other sectors to be able to generate revenue.
18:46But there is a 100% proposed hike for the salary of our elected political leaders, MLAs, ministers and more, by almost 100%.
18:58Now, the BJP is charging the Siddhartha Maya government over this,
19:01saying that this is a burden on common people and a failure of the government.
19:06It's good, right? So, if the governor's office has agreed, that's what you meant, right?
19:11Raj Bhawan agreed, right? So, it's good, right?
19:14The bill also I presented in Assam.
19:16So, it will get passed.
19:17It's necessary, sir.
19:19Why do you feel it's not necessary?
19:22You mean, there is no need for salary?
19:24Yes, sir.
19:25Everybody is there.
19:26The committee is there, which has recommended.
19:28You take the example of Singapore.
19:32You take the example of Singapore.
19:34The prime minister of Singapore, the ministers of Singapore, the MPs of Singapore are the highest paid in the world.
19:42Do you know why?
19:44That makes them very independent, non-corrupt.
19:49We have to learn some things.
19:52Do we compare our salaries to Singapore in this one?
19:55We cannot.
19:56But still, a decent this one has to be paid for every month.
20:00The practice of increasing the salary of public representatives by public representatives themselves is a very wrong method.
20:09Nowhere in the world do people increase their own salary.
20:12It is always done by someone else, either the superiors or there is a committee.
20:18In case of MLAs or MPs, there is a practice of increasing the salary by themselves, which is very, very wrong.
20:25As it is, people look at politicians in a very, very cynical way.
20:30By doing these kinds of things, people tend to laugh at us.
20:35See, this all in a democracy, it is not correct.
20:39It should not happen to anybody.
20:41See, this all is a personal thing.
20:43This is making political issues is not correct.
20:47This should not be trapped by anybody in this house.
20:51Central government has failed to control the hike of the price, what the commodity is using by the common people.
20:58Let the central government corrupt the hike of the commodities, what the common people are using.
21:05It is a routine process.
21:07The metro or KSTC, whatever it is there.
21:11Even electricity also.
21:13It was spending since long time.
21:16So it is enhanced as per the routine work.
21:19There is nothing wrong in that.
21:21And we are giving amenities to the people.
21:23Congress government is going to give benefit to the people.
21:26So clearly, it appears there is no cash crunch when it comes to the elected legislators.
21:31Possibly, there will be a full unity on this.
21:33Remember, we are looking at a 100% proposed pay hike.
21:37It may be different with regard to designations and positions.
21:40But likely, for example, will be maximum for the chief minister, the deputy chief minister and others.
21:45But there is a showdown already.
21:47These are the visuals coming in from the Karnataka assembly.
21:49The honey trap controversy is big where the chief minister Siddharam Maya is speaking right now.
21:55And he is giving out statements saying that we are not going to spare anyone.
21:59We will ensure inquiry that already has been ordered will reach a conclusion.
22:03But then many are asking that there are already so many issues.
22:07And the biggest issue is for the coffers right now for the Karnataka government to take care of.
22:12You have announced all these schemes.
22:15And then after this, that you are able to with regard to have even a proposed pay hike
22:22while you are not able to pay for the guarantees promised.
22:25So in case you are wondering, what is this 100% almost pay hike proposal?
22:32What were they earning earlier?
22:34What does a Karnataka leader earn, a minister and MLA?
22:37What will be the increase?
22:39Now, officially they earn about 75,000 salaries.
22:43Remember, there also are then other incentives and reimbursements that could come apart from this.
22:47Earlier 75,000 rupees after the increase, it would go about 1,50,000 rupees would be for the chief minister.
22:56What about other ministers, for example?
22:58Earlier, if about their salary basic official was about 60,000 rupees, it could go up to 1,25,000.
23:06But it's also for the chairman and the speaker of the assembly in Karnataka.
23:0975,000 rupees could go up to 1,25,000 rupees.
23:13Deputy chairperson, deputy speaker, they were earning about 60,000 rupees earlier.
23:17It could go about 80,000 rupees now.
23:20There is also the leader of opposition.
23:22This is where the opposition comes in and possibly that's the reason it could have a unanimous approval.
23:27If earlier the LOP was earning 60,000 rupees, it will go up to about 80,000.
23:32So of course, there are as per designations a different increase proposal.
23:35Earlier, if the chief whip was earning about 50,000 rupees, it could go about 70,000.
23:41Then of course, come in the hundreds of MLAs, MLCs.
23:45If their earlier official salary was about 40,000 rupees, it will go up to about 75,000 rupees.
23:52Netas say they deserve it.
23:54They've been working hard in Karnataka and other states and even other countries have very good salaries.
24:00But the question is, what about the state of Karnataka right now,
24:03which is facing a massive cash crunch for its basic welfare schemes and guarantees announced.
24:08So we'll be tracking that and more coming in from the southern state.
24:11Let's shift focus from Karnataka. I take you to Bihar now.
24:14Look at this video that's been going viral.
24:17Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar came under attack of the opposition.
24:22Now you wonder why he's just smiling and laughing with his fellow colleagues.
24:27It's when I play out the video for you.
24:29All of this was happening, interacting like nothing's wrong about it,
24:34when the National Anthem was being played.
24:37His colleague Adyashan standing to him, tried to tell him to be quiet and stand in attention
24:43because that's the protocol when a National Anthem is played.
24:46But he wants to have a conversation. What exactly happened?
24:49Nitish Kumar is seen tapping the office on his shoulder, trying to get attention while the National Anthem was on.
24:55Now RGD has jumped in. Tejaswi Yadav attacking Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
25:00RGD says Nitish has become unstable physically and mentally.
25:04RGD says it's become a norm for Nitish Kumar to insult National Anthem and insult Bihar.
25:25I leave it to the viewer to decide what was that behavior of Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar.
25:48From Bihar to National Capital, Delhi.
25:50You would think that with the double-engined Sarkar, it would all be a smooth affair now with the workings.
25:54Not as much, because political and bureaucratic struggle is still on.
25:59Here's what's happening.
26:01Delhi speaker Vijendra Gupta has alleged that bureaucrats, officers,
26:07are not acknowledging letters and calls from the elected MLAs.
26:11Now, Abaddi Party is happy to jump in here.
26:14Abaddi Party is saying that earlier when they would say the same,
26:17they were targeted by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
26:19Vijendra Gupta, meanwhile, has written a letter seeking intervention from the Chief Secretary
26:26to ensure a smooth functioning in this case.
26:28ARP is alleging last 10 years, BJP taught officers not to listen to ARP ministers.
26:33Now, they are facing the brunt of that.
26:35ARP is also saying, BJP is getting a taste of its own medicine.
26:39Let's listen in to both the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Vijendra Gupta,
26:42Abaddi Party's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj and more.
26:46Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
27:16Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
27:46Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
28:01Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
28:25Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
28:55Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
29:25Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
29:55Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
30:25Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
30:55Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
31:25Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
31:55Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
32:25Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
32:55Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
33:25Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
33:47Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
34:05Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
34:31Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
35:01Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
35:31Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
35:55Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
36:50Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
37:20Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
37:50Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
38:20Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
38:50Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj
39:20Abaddi Party's Sourabh Bhardwaj, BJP's former MLA, Sourabh Bhardwaj